Rhode Island State Police "Foot Pursuit" 5K

This is the first race recap I have done since I created my blog – remember I been injured

First I would like to congratulate Tom5k for winning the prestigious race – great job Tom and he didn’t complain about any injuries. In addition, big shout out/nice job to Mike C who the day before ran 20 miles and injured his toe while doing a trail race – he completed the 5k and cool down. Can’t forget Matthew who had a PR as well and I actually had a conversation with him on the warm up in the trails – it’s amazing what he says when his dad is not around (dad stop for a pit stop).

Showed up about an hour and 10 minutes early as this is a big participate race (over 800) and parking can be difficult. The weather was great, sunny with temps in the 50’s with little wind. Great to hook up with the gang again (Gazelle, Tom5k, Muddy, Matthew, John H, Mike C and Jana from Jana Walker Sports Photography LLC). Went for a 1 mile warm up on some trails (Canochet Farm) just across from race start where we ran into some birds Muddy was – very excited about and couldn’t wait to tell John H – turn out to be glossy Ibis – ok, whatever.  Got back to the start line in plenty of time where the jockeying for position began. Since I was only running for about a week from coming back from surgery I decided I would start about 15 feet back from the front – I was pushing Matthew to get up front as he wanted to go for a PR. The shotgun went off and the mayhem began. Instinct kicks in and I started to pass people until the first turn, I realized I’m in no condition to race hard so I found a comfortable pace and settled in. We came to a 4 way intersection where a state trooper is holding up traffic. I make the right hand turn and get into the left lane of traffic with rest of race when I hear the trooper say – you can go. I figured he let a car go on through which means I will have a car to my RIGHT when all of sudden I SEE a gray eco friendly Toyota Prius on my LEFT side INCHES away from me and then the passage side mirror hits my left hand. I panicked, I just got back for surgery and I get hit - really, I was speechless or in shock when I took my hand and slammed the mirror back into the car. A few runners behind me began yelling out a few F-bombs at the driver. I looked into the car, it was an old guy with a handicap parking thing hanging from his rear view mirror – I almost became handicap. Was this the work of my wife – hmmm? I settle back into my pace and felt better when those other runners that did the F-bombing came up on me asking if I was ok. We just past mile 2 and we are about to turn left along the ocean when I caught up with some teenagers. I started to yell out pace and distance to them when one of them says, I feel like I’m going to puke. Ok, I’m not handing around for that, started to pick up the pace. I make the last turn into the finish and starting sprinted – haven’t done that in awhile. I finished strong with no pain in my knee. My time was 21:09 – I was very satisfied seeing I just starting running again 8 days ago. This race has one of the best post race gatherings around, hung out for a few and I happen to see old high school friend. Walk up to see who won what when the announcer announces the team award – NRA – What; is this the work of Turtles? We (WTAC) took 1 (Tom), 3 (Muddy) and 6 (Jeff). Then he announces GYM team award – which WTAC took.  Not sure why were in the GYM category

Summary – good to be back and see everyone

Pictures below are from Jana Walker Sports Photography LLC

I survived

Mike C trying to figure out which toes hurts - and we are all waiting

GYM team